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Home My WebLink About2023-10-04-LEXHAB-min Lexington Housing Assistance Board Annual Meeting Agenda/ Monthly Board Meeting Minutes Oct 4– 3:30-5:30 pm – Conducted in the Hudson Room, Cary Hall Call to Order A meeting of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board (LexHAB) was called to order at 3:34 pm. LexHAB board members present were Bob Burbidge, Tara Mizrahi, Henry Liu, Russ Tanner, Eric Brown. Sarah Morrison, Executive Director, Pearlene Varjabedian, Housing Director and Regina Brown, Finance Director, also in attendance. Lester Savage joined at 4:15 Guests present: Kathryn Roy, Bill Erickson (Lexington Affordable Housing Trust), Ingrid Klimoff (LexRAP) Minutes review of Meeting Minutes A motion was made and seconded to approve September 6th meeting minutes. All approved. Reports had been emailed out ahead of meeting Executive Director Report: (1) Shared tenant letter expressing gratitude for LexHAB’s affordable housing as a survivor of domestic violence (2) Keeler Farm Way – will discuss in Exec Session (3) Muzzey- Heat pump installation issues th (4) Call for Art notices are out related to HOME. 10/28 opening- runs through 11/19. Housing Roundtable 11/2 from 5-7- reps from different groups (5) Fundraiser 11/16 from 5-7—would like Board members to ask for donations for raffle. Businesses to sponsor events. Sarah would also like each board member to invite ten people each- $25/ticket. Eventbrite event will be sent out. Contributions are welcome. Housing Director Report  1 one bed at Muzzey vacant  Still working on SHI units getting added  Minimum Rents – will discuss later  Transfer Policy review  Housing Seminar for 10/25 at 5:30pm at LHS library lab- LexMedia is covering it  Fuel Assistance—provided info to tenants- some are signing up  Fall cleanup and getting ready for the winter. Some of the units where tenants are responsible the landscaping looks tough. Getting proposals for upkeep and then will bring to the Board  Annual unit review continues—take about six months to do.  Heat pump inspections are taking place.  Minimum rent discussion – (1) Motion #1 - Determination of Calculation of Minimum rents- Units that are subject to the lottery process determined by typical household size for a particular unit pegged to a 35% AMI Level. Vote taken- all approved. (2) Motion #2 - Determination of Minimum Qualifying Income – Units that are subject to the lottery process will have a minimum qualifying income that is based on the applicant household paying 35% of their gross income towards gross rent. Vote taken- all approved. (3) Motion #3 - % of a household’s income that is charged for rent – All initial leases on all units will have their rent determined by using 35% of their household income to determine the gross rent provided this policy is reviewed by RHSO and LexHab counsel. This policy shall not override any underlying regulation or deed restriction that is to the contrary. Vote taken- all approved. (4) Motion #4- Motion #1 and Motion #2 shall be amended to read that these policies are now applicable to all new leases on all units. Vote taken- unanimous with one abstention Treasurer’s Report- Henry  Sent out highlights  Net Income up from last year  Woburn property value is now on the books  Tried to clarify capital expenditures  Opening a second checking account to be used for fundraising transactions to protect current account from things like Venmo, etc. Sustainability- Regina  7 heat pumps already put in, more are being scheduled  Muzzey issues with converting ones there but hopefully we will get approval there  Solar ahead of schedule, putting in some more applications.  Sustainable materials—trying out cork and bamboo as well. 25% higher cost on the material. We will be building those into the costs for the CPC but LexHAB is absorbing those costs on non-CPC units. Property and Development- Lester Savage  Kimball. Minuteman tech are on board. Most likely will be spring before we can get in there. Tree work on 10/12 and then grade and seed. Some probono work. Can we highlight probono work—would be a good idea. Human Resources- Bob Burbidge  Eric and Bob met and will bring results in Executive Session  Regina did a proposed holiday schedule. Motion for a vote for 2024- all voted in favor. Henry Liu absent. LexHAB Transition- Sarah  Had a meeting with Town about our proposed MOU. Discussion will continue. Topic came up regarding title insurance as it relates title. Conversations will continue. Some push back on units that are not on SHI  No news on Home Rule petition. New Business  CPA and Affordable Housing Trust—questions have come up on how they differ on how they will each award their money. Who do we go to for what monies? LexHAB will be discussing this with them to get some clarity  Regina needs someone to review proposals and costs—Les will do until Thomas comes on board.  Thomas submitted his application. The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, 2023 @ 3:30pm in person at the Hudson Room in the Cary Memorial Building. Motion to Adjourn Open Session at 5:29 The Chair moved to adjourn the Open Session and go into Executive Session to discuss strategies in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel, resident issues and with respect to discuss lease or value of real property that to discuss in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body, LexHAB. The motion was seconded. The motion was approved by roll call vote. All approved.